Carpet-stretcher



(No Model.) I

J. B. FULLER.

CARPET STRETGHER. No.264,144. Patented Sept.1 2.1 882'.

W1 TJVESSES z, flaw-{ UNITED STATES I PATENT OFFICE.

JEROME FULLER, 0F NAUGATUGK, oounno'rronr.

CARPET-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 264,144, datedSeptember 12, 1882. Application filed July 19, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern 7 Be it known that I, JEROME B. FULLER, acitizen of the United States of America, residing at Naugatuck, in thecounty of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Oarpet-Stretchers; and I do hereby declarethe following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make'and use the same.

This invention has relation to certain improvements incarpet-stretchers; and its object is to construct an implement of thekind named which can be adapted to and used in laying and stretchingcarpets of different measurement and to floors of'different dimensions.

My improvements consist in two or more slotted bars, capable ofadjustment in different directions, secured by clamping means, incombination with a flexible or elastic end piece adjusted and secured toone end of the stretcher, for the purpose hereinafter set forth.

My improvement further consists in the novel organization andcombination of parts, as willbe hereinafter set forth and specificallyclaimed.

In. the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification,Figure l is a perspective view, showing all the parts coupled together.=Fig. 2 is a side view of one of thesections,showingtheadjustingmeanspartially in section. Fig. 3 is a viewof the holding-bar and the clam-ping device, and Fig. 4 is a perspectiveview of the clampingdevice.

The'lett'er A represents the bars of the stretcher, consisting of two ormore sections, in this example the three sections a, b, and c. The bar Ais formed with thecentral longitudinal slot, 6, starting near the endand extending toward the other about one-half the length of the bar. Thebars a and b are formed with corresponding central longitudinal slots,f, and the end bar, 0, is a solid strip of wood, made to registerinwidth with the slotted bar, to which it is clamped.

The letter B represents the clamping devices adapted to the slottedbars, and consisting of the head g, with the struck-up side ears, h, andthe central screw-bolt, with the base widened and fitted to thedimensions of the slot in which it is placed. The cap or washer i,-withside i ears, fits over the bolt and bar, and the thumbscrew nut 70secures the devices and clamps the bars together at any desired point.

The letter 0 represents the clamping devices for securing the solid barto the restof theimpleme'nt. It consists of a frame with centralscrew-eye in the upper plate provided with a set screw, and theintermediate adjustable plate, m, intended to rest between the lappedends of the bars. A similar clamping device is used to secure theflexible or elastic mate rial over the end of the implement, and also tosecure the cord thereto when it is desirable to stretch the carpet inboth directions.

The letter D represents the actuating device for stretching the carpet.It consists essentially of the frame a, let in and secured to the end ofthe sliding bar a, and formed with the side walls, p, and extensions q,with perforations to receive the journals of the gear-wheel r and pawls.

The letter E represents the rack-bar and card end, the bar of whichslides in the space formed between the walls of the frame, and isarranged therein, so that the teeth of the gearwheel engage with theteeth of the bar.

The letter F represents the actuating-lever, formed withdownward-extending arms journaled to the axle of the gear-wheel, andprovided with a groove, t, wherein is arranged spring-pawl v, impingingthe gear-wheel and serving to turn the same and extend or retreat therack-bar. The pawl sis journaled in the walls of the frame, and dropsby, gravity in the teeth of the rack-bar, and prevents it from runningback when the spring-pawl is disengaged from the gear-wheel. On the endof the rackbar is formed the card-piece w, the plate forming an integralpart of the rack-bar, and havin g securely fixed to the under sidethereof by suitable fastening means a card piece or pieces, w, made withleather back or body and filled -with metallic card-teeth.

The letter G represents a removable card,

and adapted to be arranged and adjusted on the end of the implement whenit is desired to stretch in both directions, or whenever thecircumstances of the work warrant. This card is inserted in the clamp atthe end of the device and secured therein by the set-screws.

About the free end of the implement is ad-- constructed similar to thecard on the rack-bar,

2 v warm;

justed a piece of thick cloth or felting or other elastic material, andsecured under the clamp. This is intended to be used with the endagainst the mop-boards, and thus save them from injury or displacementwhile using the implement.

The implement is put to practical use by adjusting the sliding bars tosuit the demand, and then clamping them securely together. Then byputting the end or card, as the case may be, in position, and card onthe rack-bar at the point to be operated on, and turning the lever, thecarpet can be stretched to suitor as may be required.

It will be observed that the implement can be folded byloosening theclamp and doubling the sections against each other; also, that it can bemade of two or more sections, and that one or more sections can bedispensed with Without destroying the utility of the device.

What I claim as myinvention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is

1. In a carpet-stretcher, the combination,

with slotted bars capable of adjustment in opposite directions andsecured by clamping means, of a flexible or elastic end piece adiustedand secured to one end of the stretcher, substantially as described.

2. In a carpet-stretcher, the combination, with slotted bars capable ofadjustment in opposite directions, of clamping means, a projectingflexible or elastic end piece, and a card secured to the end of asection of the stretcher, substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

3. In a carpet-stretcher, the hand-lever having a groove extending itslength, with springpawl operating therein, in combination with thegear-wheel 0*, gravity-pawl s, and rack-bar.

and card, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

. JEROME B. FULLER.

Witnesses:

A. E. MAY, J. M. SWEENEY.

